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url: /courses/certiv/
title: "CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design | Online Courses | The Graphic Design School"
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lastModified: 2026-05-22T23:31:54.990Z
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site: "The Graphic Design School"
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# CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design | Online Courses | The Graphic Design School

> A fully online, nationally recognised CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design offering intensive, industry-led training over up to 15 months.

**Keywords:** CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design, Australian government-accredited qualification, The Graphic Design School, online graphic design course, 15 months self-paced, nationally-recognised qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework, 12 modules, design training, industry experts, graphic design qualification, RTO #91706, course costs and payment plans, assignment graded by working designer, comprehensive graphic design course

Australian Accredited · CUA40720 · 15 months · Self-paced CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design The CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design is an Australian government-accredited qualification, delivered fully online by The Graphic Design School (RTO #91706). You complete 12 modules over up to 15 months at your own pace. Every assignment is graded by a working designer. On completion, you hold a nationally-recognised qualification listed on the Australian Qualifications Framework. Course Costs & Payment PlansTalk to us first Australian Accredited · CUA40720 · 15 months · Self-paced CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design The CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design is an Australian government-accredited qualification, delivered fully online by The Graphic Design School (RTO #91706). Course Costs & Payment PlansTalk to us first Course Ethos Course Outline Our Units Testimonials Getting Started The Course Ethos Online But Intensive Yes intensive. We know what you need to know in order to be a designer, a smart one. So we don’t take any short cuts. Others may teach from a text book, or from a stream of videos. We don’t. Design training designed by industry experts We have designed our CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design course to be a comprehensive qualification in graphic design. You will cover 12 modules during the course and be issued a CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design qualification after successfully completing the course. More Than Just Software Learning We teach a mixture of what we call ‘OLD SCHOOL’ meets ‘NEW SCHOOL’ techniques that get to the core of what it means to be a real designer: an understanding of the culture of design combined with the techniques of a solid design process, from design brief to idea generation, sketching, layout, comp and finishing in the Adobe Suite. Qualification CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design Duration Up to 15 months Hours 750 assessable Pace Self-paced Accreditation Nationally recognised · ASQA RTO #91706 What you walk away with Portfolio + qualification + alumni network Portfolio Twelve assessed modules, every one producing deliverable work. Your final module is a portfolio build. By completion you have a body of work to show employers, freelance clients, or a university admissions panel. Nationally-recognised qualification CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design — issued by TGDS as an RTO registered with ASQA, listed on training.gov.au, and recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Alumni network Every graduate joins an active alumni forum. Alumni hire alumni — several current students found their first freelance gigs through other students. Recognised by employers and further study pathways Our Certificate IV is accepted as a pre-requisite for specialised design study (Diploma, Bachelor in some pathways). Some government and Austudy-eligible roles require the qualification — a skills-only course wouldn't cover you. We don't make employment guarantees. Career outcomes depend on your work, market conditions, and your willingness to put yourself out there. What we do guarantee: if you complete the course, you finish with a portfolio and a nationally-recognised qualification. The Certificate IV Qualification Portfolio & Qualification This course is ideal for someone who wishes to obtain a qualification for their skills. Being a portfolio based industry; we feel your skills are the most important aspect to your design training. Whether you need the qualification or not is entirely a personal choice. That’s why we run the qualification and the non-qualification courses! Some of the Reasons Our Students Have Cited Further Study Some students have no immediate plans to undertake further study, yet think it wise for them to keep their options open. Courses teaching specialisations within the design sector may require a qualification in design as a pre-requisite of entry. Professional Development A qualification is required by their employer. As we are Austudy approved, students wishing to obtain Austudy, may only do so if enrolled in the qualification. We are happy to have a chat to you about the differences in the courses in more detail too. Employment Opportunities Some design employment opportunities lie within a branch of the government sector, where qualifications may be a necessity for employment. Self Paced Course Setting a schedule. Students have up to 15 months to complete the 12 modules. As the course is self-paced, you can decide how many hours a week you wish to concentrate on your study. An approximate guide is 750 hours to complete the 12 Modules. Course Outline The 12 modules within the course have been holistically designed around the 15 Units of Competency comprised in the CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design training package. Module 1 - Introduction to Graphic Design + Summary Module 1 offers an overview of what graphic design is and the immense professional opportunities it provides. Students will be inspired and enlightened whilst being taken on a journey to the great works of past and present iconic graphic designers. You will be introduced to the most popular designer sites encompassing work within the various industries that designers work in. Definitions Definition: A definition of graphic design and its specialised industries. History: The history of written communication from ancient to present times with visual examples of pivotal movements and designer work. Specialities: Explanation of the various specialities within the industry of graphic design. An understanding of graphic design’s role in future industries. Social Networks: Introduction to professional organisations and affiliations that will enrich the student’s understanding of the profession. Outcomes A definition of graphic design. An introduction to pivotal historic and contemporary designers. An introduction to the various specialities included in the graphic design profession.